North Carolina is a Southern state with plenty of Western attributes—mountains and potential for active seniors to enjoy plenty of outdoor activities. And The Tar Heel State also has the coastal region with many of the same amenities you’ll find in Florida—boating, fishing, or just walking the beach. It’s these different sides of the same coin that makes the state an attractive option for seniors. Combine these traits with hot summers, mild winters, and a moderate cost of living and North Carolina becomes even more appealing. Let Senior Living help in your search among the 2400 plus senior living options in North Carolina. We’re an unbiased web directory created to support you in your search for the right senior community.

North Carolina Senior Living Costs

For seniors looking to retire to North Carolina, your retirement dollar stretch is about average compared to the rest of the country. For example, according to the Tax Foundation, North Carolinians pay 9.4% for state and local taxes which ranks 20th in the country. Overall cost of living ranks at 24th; median household income is $43,674. Home prices in the state vary widely from metropolitan area to small town. The median North Carolina condo or house value according to city-data.com is $154,000. In Charlotte, the state’s largest city, the value is $188,400; In Raleigh it’s $216,900; Winston-Salem is $146,500; In the Blue Ridge mountain city of Asheville the median value is $223,100. And if you head out into the smaller towns in the state like Siler City (pop. 6,966) you’ll find values ($120,894) at the low end.

North Carolina’s crime rate is 19% higher than the national average according to the National Institute of Corrections. Property crimes account for 90% of this and the remaining crimes are violent. Now let’s look at some of The Tar Heel State’s larger cities and see how they compare. Winston-Salem is 65% higher than the national average; Raleigh is just below the average; Charlotte is 45% higher; the little mountain city of Asheville is 26% higher than the average. When you get into smaller towns like Pinehurst (pop. 9,706) the rates of crime are nearly non-existent compared to the big cities.

Depending on where you live in North Carolina your weather will vary dramatically. If you live along the coast in a city like Wilmington you’ll experience warmer winters and generally hotter average summers than anywhere else in the state. You may also get hit with tropical storms and the occasional hurricane. In the interior in Charlotte, for example, the winter temperatures average about 5 degrees cooler than Wilmington. Go into the mountains in Asheville and you’ll experience even cooler winters (46 avg. high in Jan. vs. 51 in Charlotte) and cooler summers (July avg. high 83 vs. 90 in Charlotte). Like all Southern states, the humidity levels in the summer are high in North Carolina. 2 other big area for seniors is Greensboro and Fayetteville, North Carolina.

How do you want to spend your days in retirement? How about fishing, golfing, gambling, hiking, bird watching, exploring local history, continuing your education? If you like to golf, North Carolina has 664 courses across the state, and because of the mild year-round climate you’ll get more opportunities to sharpen your game. If you’re a gambler, the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino has video poker, video slots, digital blackjack and craps but no table games. Because it played a large role in the Revolutionary War and Civil War and was one of the original 13 colonies, North Carolina is an amateur historian’s dream. Everywhere you turn there is a piece of the past waiting to be examined. The pristine Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains make the state a dream for hikers, cyclists, and bird watchers. If you’re interested in taking classes, there are 17 public universities across the state and a number of top-notch public colleges like Duke and Wake Forest.

Start your search for the ideal retirement community now. Whether it’s an active independent living, a Hospice facility or Alzheimer’s care, Senior Living can help you find the option that is right for you. Click on one of the cities or type in your address in the box above and you’ll get a listing of options in your surrounding area. Let us support you in your search for North Carolina senior living communities.